“Indeed, Governor Pritzker and his Democrat supermajority in the Illinois General Assembly are set on being the first state to ban ANY non-union shops in the state. Next year, Illinois voters will be able to determine if they want such a ban placed in the state’s constitution.”

Gov. J.B. Pritzker made a deal Monday with some state employees, but correctional workers and the state’s largest public worker union, AFSCME, aren’t in it.

In Illinois 380,000 doses are earmarked for pediatricians offices, hospitals and clinics along with 100,000 more to pharmacies.

The nurses sued Riverside Healthcare on Oct. 13 claiming the state’s Health Care Right of Conscience Act gives them the right to refuse the COVID-19 vaccine because their religious beliefs conflict with getting the vaccine. Kankakee County Judge Nancy Nicholson granted the temporary restraining order until Nov. 19

If approved by the federal government, Illinois will receive an initial shipment of nearly 500,000 doses of the vaccine. Gov. J.B. Pritzker said those does will be distributed to pharmacies, pediatricians and local health departments and clinics.

Two bills, House Bill 3474 and Senate Bill 2574, would tilt the power of the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund and the Teachers Retirement System boards, respectively, in favor of the unions. But that tilt could cost retirees.

Pritzker spokesperson Emily Bittner said, “The Healthcare Right of Conscience Act was never intended to allow people to avoid public health guidance and jeopardize workplace safety during a global pandemic. The administration supports efforts to clarify the law, so it cannot be misinterpreted by fringe elements.”

Sarah Stoliker with Illinois Directors and Owners of Childcare Centers said, “We’re not opposed to public health measures that will help bring this pandemic to an end, but there has to be a balance. For all of the lip service, this administration has rebuffed meaningful engagement with the frontline managers and workers to address the challenges facing our industry since Day 1. They seem to prefer a top-down approach that pays little attention to the real-world impacts.”

“We are disappointed in the Illinois Supreme Court’s recent decision related to Cook County’s tax on firearms and ammunition,” said Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle’s Press Secretary Nick Mathiowdis. “We intend to meet with our legal counsel and determine any next steps that may be warranted.”

A House amendment to Senate Bill 1169 says it’s not a violation of The Health Care Right of Conscience Act to require COVID-19 vaccines and allows someone to be terminated for such a reason. A hearing is expected Thursday morning at the statehouse.

Senate sponsor Scott Bennett explained, “There has been some confusion from good teachers who observe troubling behavior that they do not know where the line is in term of reporting. This bill tries to make sure that schools do more to define sexual misconduct. It makes sure that they write a code of ethics for the district.”

Candy sales are taxed at 6.25%. Treats containing flour are considered regular grocery items and taxed at 1%. So the sales tax for a Hershey’s milk chocolate bar is over six-fold the tax of the Cookies & Cream version.

Forsyth, just outside Decatur, imposes a $750 fine for approaching a house with no porch lights on for free candy. Belleville has an age restriction: nobody older than 12 can trick-or-treat. If caught committing “Halloween Solicitation,” they can face a fine of up to $1,000.

The state’s sports betting handle — the amount of money wagered — has ranked in the top three with New Jersey and Nevada in each of the last seven monthly reports released by the Illinois Gaming Board.